The Miraculously Powerful Name
By Dr. Hira Mateen
You may have heard that one must recite بسم الله or بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم before starting any task, as it brings Barakah and makes the task easy. You may be reciting these blessed words off and on, consciously and unconsciously. After reading this article, I am hoping that you will be amazed by the power of بسم الله and will consciously recite it, before starting any task, because you will feel its power in the true sense, Insha’Allah.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم is translated as “In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” It has the most beautiful and blessed name “Allah” in it, along with two other beautiful names “Ar Rahmaan” and “Ar Raheem”.
Let me mention here the last verse of Surah Rahman: “Blessed is the name of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.” (Ar-Rahmaan 55:78)
Starting any task with بسم الله miraculously brings Barakah and ease in it, because you are taking the most glorious name of Allah (swt) and beginning the task with it. By reciting it and thus invoking the name Allah (swt), you are seeking His help.
Let’s see the power and effect of بسم الله and the name “Allah” that is mentioned in different Hadeeths of the Prophet (sa).
Unbreakable lock:
A Hadeeth in Sahih Muslim says: “…and close the doors and mention the name of Allah, for the Shaitan does not open a closed door…”
This Hadeeth beautifully depicts the power of mentioning Allah’s (swt) name: one just has to say بسم االله while closing a door, and Shaitan (or any satanic power) cannot unlock or open it. It is the ultimate fool-proof protection.
Ultimate protection:
Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “If anyone says following three times, he will not suffer sudden affliction till the morning, and if anyone says this in the morning, he will not suffer sudden affliction till the evening:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
“In the name of Allah, when Whose name is mentioned, nothing on Earth or in Heaven can cause harm, and He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (Abu Daud)
Nothing in the entire universe can cause sudden harm or suffering when you recite this Masnun Dua that begins with the blessed name of Allah (swt).
No food and shelter for Shaitan:
A Hadeeth in Sahih Muslim says: “If a person mentions the name of Allah (swt) upon entering his house or eating… Satan says, addressing his followers: ‘You will find nowhere to spend the night and no dinner.’”
You simply have to begin with the name of Allah (swt) and your biggest enemy cannot have his share in our food and shelter. Keeping Shaitan away from your house and food makes him weak, so his grip on us weakens too. This is the power of بسم الله
Another Hadeeth narrates that if you forget to say بسم االلهbefore you begin eating your food, then you can say بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ whenever you remember it, and Shaitan vomits whatever he has eaten so far! Subhan Allah.
Shrinking Shaitan to size of a fly:
A man said: “I was riding behind the Prophet (sa) and the ride stumbled. I said: ‘May the Shaitan perish.’ He replied: ‘Do not say ‘may the Shaitan perish’, because when you say this, he swells up so much that he becomes a house and says by my power. Rather, say بسم االلهfor if you say this, Shaitan shrinks, until he becomes like a fly.’” (Abu Daud)
It is just a matter of developing the habit to sayبسم االله , when anyone stumbles, and you see the massive impact of the blessed name that it turns Shaitan to the size of a fly! How powerless he becomes!
Healing power:
Jibril (as) came to Prophet Muhammad (sa) and said: “O, Muhammad, do you feel sick?” He (sa) said: “Yes.” Jibril (as) supplicated (i.e., he performed Ruqyah):
بسم الله أرقيك ، من كل شيء يؤذيك، ومن شر كل نفس أو عين حاسد، الله يشفيك، بسم الله أرقيك
With the Name of Allah. I recite over you (to cleanse you) from all that troubles you,
and from every harmful mischief and from the evil of the eyes of an envier.
Allah will cure you; and with the Name of Allah, I recite over you.”
(Sahih Muslim)
There are numerous Duas in Sunnah that have the name of Allah (swt) mentioned to invoke Him for healing and even protection and cure from evil eye and jealousy. Memorize them and make it a habit to recite them on yourself and others. You will definitely feel an immense relief soon.
Overcome distress:
The Prophet (s) said: “Whoever is stricken with sadness, grief, sickness or hardship, and he says:
اللهُ رَبِّیْ لَا شَرِیْكَ لَهُ
‘Allah is my Rabb, there is no partners ascribed to Him’, then it will be removed from him.” (Sahih Jamae’)
How soothing is the name of Allah (swt) that calms an anxious heart and a distressed person. Hold strong to this beautiful Dua in times of distress and anxiety, and you will feel a sense of immediate ease along with miraculous solution of your problems.
These are just a few Hadeeths, which tell us the importance and power of the blessed name of Allah (swt). Hold tight to the beautiful name of Allah (swt) and say بسم الله before starting any and every task. By doing this, you are attracting His perfect help, blessing and reward. You will also become conscious of His presence and correct your intentions to perform the task for His sake.